Haiku Kukai 1 Favorites
PACE Global Haiku • Millikin University • Attempts 1, January 2008
warm paws and warm toes |
woodstove— Becky Ives (6) My grandparents’ house was had a wood burning stove in the family room. I loved the smell of the wood and it was burning; I always wanted to look when it was time to stir the logs. My Uncles, cousins, and I would go sledding and ice skating on the back pond behind the house and we would be frozen by the time we would come back inside. The first thing we did was to take off all the wet clothes and place them by the stove to dry everything off. Sarah I enjoyed reading this haiku it allowed me to go back to a time when I was younger after playing all day in the cold snow. We never had a woodstove, but by adding that word, readers can picture an old wooden stove heating up a small house in the bitter winter. I could picture the steam rising off of my socks, and gloves and could almost smell hot chocolate waiting to warm me up. I also liked how the writer used all of the “s” words to make the haiku flow. Glenna I chose this first because of the vivid images it invokes. So many senses are involved: sight (the stove, steam, dirty white socks and gloves, dripping water), smell (smoke, stinky socks), sounds (crackling of the fire, sizzling of steam). I can almost feel the warmth from the fire, and feel the warm damp socks. This haiku reminds me of growing up on the farm and brings back images from my past. It brings a happy, cozy feeling. Jane This is another kakui which takes me back to my childhood. I lived in St. Paul, Minnesota. In the winter, I remember bundling up with triple layers of socks and sometimes two layers of gloves and take my wooden sled for an afternoon of fun with my sister. When we returned, we peeled off the layers of socks, gloves and scarves and place them over an old stove. The steamy smell of wool filled the house. Occasionally, we would turn the items over to continue to dry. This kakui fills my heart with fond memories of being a child and being with my parents again. Peggy |
soothing tap of the rain… |
a sea of eyes Christina Reed (4) |
sunlight breaks through the clouds |
in the ring… Christina Reed (4) |
ruffles and ribbons Sarah Bogle Being the father of a year and a half old daughter, I can really appreciate the look of her in a Sunday dress with ruffles and ribbons on it. My wife and I like to get dressed up for Sunday church and we try to make our kids look the best as they can. My daughter (Addie) has a few dresses that look absolutely beautiful on her. This is my favorite Kukai. Barry I chose this as my second favorite haiku because I have taught preschool for over twenty years and am automatically drawn to children. This haiku brings a vivid image of a little girl spinning around, feeling very proud of her new dress and knowing how utterly cute she looks! I like the use of the word “makes”. In reality a dress can’t make you do anything; but here the dress displays power over the little girl and “makes” her spin. Jane |
hooked up to so many tubes |
sounds of fish Peggy Brown (5) |
waiting to fly |
smoke from the grill Mary Smith (6) |
the radish bit my tongue Mary Smith (3) |
raindrops on the windshield Marcie Holeman (7) |
courthouse clock— |
a cross of ashes |
trembling down the aisle Andrea Earnest I chose this haiku because I felt exactly that way when I walked down the aisle to get married nearly ten years ago. This haiku has such emotion and allows its readers, mostly female readers, to remember an important wonderful day in their life. As I close my eyes and read the poem to myself I could clearly picture that sunny May afternoon when I was getting ready to walk down the aisle. I remember how scared I was and all of those eyes staring at me. When I read the next line I could smell the fragrance of sweet peas filling the church giving it a calming feeling like I felt after I took my long walk down the aisle. Glenna |
reaching for an empty space |
turning pages under a light Barry Cripe It struck me that no one mentioned this haiku in class. I don’t know what it is that I like about this one, but it has a wonderful moment in it. I am finishing my teacher’s certification this spring, and I love seeing children learn. My mother and grandmother are/were also teachers. They explained this joy of seeing children learn as, “turning the light bulb on.” Children seem to show that “light” better than adults, but it is always a joy to see. I also like the opening line because it put me in the setting of nighttime cuddled up in an armchair with my mom. I feel this is a great moment, when someone’s eyes shine from new understanding. Maybe that is my favorite aspect of this haiku… the moment itself. Christina
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clay too wet Jane Rieman (3) As a former art student, I found pleasure in this haiku. Once it’s too wet, what can you do? Mud starts splashing everywhere and your attempt at a pot or vase slides down between your hands. It’s a glorious feeling. The earthen feel of clay is very soulful to me. Mary |
motorcycle in the rain |
blanket of pine needles Marcie Holeman (4) |
the hilltop pavilion Mary Smith (9) This haiku provokes many emotions for me. I cannot though put my finger on them. I do not know what it is that draws me to this verse, but never the less, it is intriguing to me. I do not know what the writer had in mind, but that is exactly what makes this a great haiku for the reader. Mary has brought forth the imagination of all seasons; the hilltop pavilion could be covered with snow, or intense with summer heat. Who knows? And I could think of a thousand other places to say goodbye than at a pavilion. But this is exactly my point, I do not know what Mary is thinking and to be a great haiku, Mary has made me wonder, imagine, and sense the emotions that someone must have been feeling in this particular moment. Marcie I remember when I was in 5th or 6th grade when I had boyfriend and this poem tells exactly how we treated each other. We were immature and disrespectful to each other but we didn’t know that we were at the time. We wanted everything to be a simple as possible and that is probably why we broke up with each other in notes. It sounds so crazy now that I am older but I remember what it felt like them and that is what makes me love this haiku some much. It does a great job bringing me right back to the younger years that seemed so innocent at the time. Andrea This kakui reminded me when I was a teenager. Around 14 years old when the only transportation I had was a 10 speed bicycle. My high school sweetheart and I met at the pavilion at the city park. It was a time of innocent fun and I wore his red and white letterman’s jacket, even when it was 90 degrees outside. He was too young to have a senior ring, so he purchased a promise ring with a diamond so small, I couldn’t tell if it was the metal of the ring that was sparkling or the stone. Each day we would exchange notes during class until he decided he wanted to go to a summer basketball camp. He explained we needed a break and a chance for him to be with the guys. Although, the note was not left at the pavilion, the verse reminded me of that particular chapter of my life which I had forgotten until now. Peggy |
baby prams |
from across the room Andrea Earnest (4) As a father of two young children, I have had the pleasure of being in this situation quite a few times. My children are 3 and a year & a half now. They get very excited and run to me if they haven’t seen me for a while and not only does this make me feel very special, it also gives me a feeling of love that you can’t describe in any response. Barry |
too small to see the fire |
dressing room
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large bell |
cloudy— Barry Cripe This haiku make me feel coldness. The pale blue crackles of ice and hot electric light from the street lamp give some contrast between nature and manmade things. I think it must be night time because of the streetlight and the air is sharp and crisp. Becky |
family on either side Andrea Earnest I think that this kukai is universal. There isn’t a man or woman who can’t identify with this saying. The pressure of family, whether on the mother’s side or the father’s side can be frightening. It always seems that no matter what is said the family seems shocked: “You said what?”, “you want to marry her?” “you want to marry him?” “Not her, she’s not the one for you!” “Not him, he’s not the one for you!”. All of these remarks ran through my head once I read this kukai. The reasons I believe this was my favorite was because of the universality of the poem, it is very simple, and it embodies the culture of America and many other cultures when concerning family. Sean |
mother at the glass Tia Randle (4) |
wet, clay hands swirling |
tall grass around the old building With all my work in genealogy, I could identify with this haiku. I have done so much study of various local histories that this just really reminded me of all the places where I’ve wondered what my ancestors endured. I once found the original cabin of my children’s’ 4th great-grandfather, where he raised seven children. This haiku is the perfect description of that structure. When I found it, it was if I could hear the cries of this family as I peered through the broken out windows. Mary I feel a sense of abandonment. Things that are no longer needed or wanted are felt. There is isolation and loneliness, as if the purpose has been taken away. The colors I see in this are old and faded. Becky |
ice storm |
the chain hits Mary Smith (3) |
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climbing the Mary Smith (6) This reminded my of my great grandmother's home. She lived out in the country in front of the township shed. She had a mangled fence around her propane tank and there were rock piles in the back lot. My three cousins and I would imagine our own Wild West adventures there. We would climb on the propane tank and pretend it was our horse and we would have shoots out in the rock piles. We would look for Indian beads in the rocks and make mud pies. Sarah This was one of the most imaginative haiku’s that I have seen thus far. I love how it brings you right back to the propane tank in the back yard. I remember how my cousins and I used to play on it like it was a monster. I also remember how there was a guaranteed big Easter egg under the box with the nozzles. The haiku really brings about a true innocence of childhood. The imagination was endless at that age. Andrea |
© 2008, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.